PARENTING

Easter Eggs 3 Ways

When it comes to Easter egg decorating, think beyond the traditional dye and try one (or all!) of these egg-cellent ideas.

Materials:

For the Decoupage Eggs:

• eggs (hard boiled or blown out)

• cut-outs (or stickers!) of Thomas, Percy, and James

• scissors

• confetti or hole-punched circles

• decoupage glue

• paintbrush

For the Train Track Taped Eggs:

• eggs (hard boiled or blown out)

• white vinegar

• washi tape (thin and medium)

• scissors

• glass

• spoon

• hot water

• food coloring

• paper towel

For the Marbleized eggs:

• eggs (hard boiled or blown out)

• white vinegar

• food coloring

• store-bought whipped cream topping

• shallow dish (for cream)

• offset spatula or knife

• spoon

• skewer

• paper towels

• cooling rack on a baking sheet

Instructions:

For the Decoupage Eggs:

1. Trim out train image.

2. Brush back of image with decoupage glue. Place onto the egg and brush glue over the image. Smooth out with your finger.

3. Use the paintbrush to pick up confetti/circles and glue to the egg. Cover with dots. Let dry.

For the Train Track Taped Eggs:

1. Wipe egg off with vinegar.

2. Prepare dye bath: fill a glass with warm water and add 10-15 drops of dye and a teaspoon of vinegar. Stir.

3. Lay horizontal pieces of tape to make railroad ties with wider tape around egg.

4. Use scissors to trim ends of both sides of all the tape pieces.

5. Use thinner tape for the railroad tracks.

6. Use fingernail to burnish down tape edges very thoroughly.

7. Carefully spoon egg into dye bath and let sit for about 30 seconds or until desired color has been reached.

8. Remove with spoon and gently dry off excess dye with paper towel.

9. Remove tape.

For the Marbleized eggs:

1. Wipe egg off with vinegar.

2. Spoon whipped topping into dish and spread with knife or spatula.

3. Drip dots of food coloring onto whipped topping.

4. Use skewer to drag the food coloring in a few directions to marbleize.

5. Lightly dip the egg in the marbleized cream. Reverse egg and repeat on other side.

6. Place on the rack to dry for at least a few hours or overnight.

7. Wipe off excess cream.

Jodi Levine is a crafter and author. Levine's works, Candy Aisle Crafts, Paper Goods Projects, and SuperMakeIt.com, are all about crafts made from everyday supermarket materials. Jodi contributes to national magazines and television shows while also working with brands such as Fisher-Price and Mattel.